Product category:
Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: Congatec
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 10 October 2005
Open standard aims to simplify
flat-panel control
The Embedded Panel Interface EPI is an open standard that allows for easy and direct control of all flat-panel displays with maximum interchangeability.
The Embedded Panel Interface EPI is an open standard that allows for easy and direct control of all flat-panel displays with maximum interchangeability One of the biggest advantages of COMs (computers on modules) is the interchangeability of modules between different suppliers
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 16 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The only weak point was the direct control of flat-panel displays.
Due to the lack of a uniform standard all manufacturers had to define their own interface strategy.
This problem can now be solved with the use of the Embedded Panel Interface.
EPI is based on the VESA standard EDID 1.3 and defines the software format for display properties and the scalable hardware interface.
However, EDID 1.3 only allows control of monitors with local intelligence, and so for an embedded computer module to take direct control of a flat-panel display some more information is required.
Therefore, EPI adds the missing parameters to the complete set of EDID 1.3 data.
The VESA EDID 2.0 specification, which is no longer supported, failed to solve this problem - mainly due to its high complexity.
An EPI data set, used to describe the control of a flat-panel display, can be easily created using the information found in the display's datasheet.
It's even easier when using Congatec's CGOS32 tool.
With this tool the newly created data set can be written to a reserved area in the Congatec embedded BIOS.
The EPI data set description is independent from the video controller and is interpreted by the video BIOS of the COM in order to set the correct video attributes.
The result is a manufacturer independent "plug-and-display" solution that enables free interchangeability of displays and COMs.
The EPI definition was created in co-operation with customers and embedded computer manufacturers.
"We explicitly support the development of EPI as a uniform flat-panel display interface", stated Peter Marek from MarekMicro/Advantech.
"With this approach, solving complex display adaptations is much easier for us and our customers".
Congatec has taken the first steps towards establishing the EPI definition as an industry standard.
It's currently being "fine tuned" with the help of some other embedded computer module manufacturers and will be ready for release in November 2005. Request free introductory details about products from Congatec ...
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